Decade in Review: Top 50 TV Shows

Monday

Dec 28, 2009 at 12:01 AMDec 31, 2009 at 6:09 PM

40 "Reno 911"

Alums from MTV's early-'90s sketch show "The State" have gone on to collaborate on a bunch of other shows, but the best by far has been Comedy Central's "COPS" spoof "Reno 911!" These politically incorrect, profanity-spewing police officers bungle their way through the job in hilarious fashion.

39 "House Hunters"

HGTV has become a destination for DIYers, filled with addicting programming like "Design on a Dime" and "Property Virgins." But it's this show that's easiest to love, appealing to everyone's inner voyeur by following homebuyers on their search to find the perfect house.

38 "Dexter"

The premise is genius - what if a serial killer worked for the police department, where he could not only throw officials off his trail but pick up tips from fellow criminals? Michael C. Hall's Dexter follows a complex code, killing only other killers and maintaining the facade of a perfect family life despite his lack of "feelings." It's fascinating stuff.

37 "West Wing"

Despite its occasional heavy-handedness, Aaron Sorkin's broad ensemble drama gave us an ultimately captivating look at day-to-day life inside the White House. For liberal folks, it was a nice fantasy world to retreat into during the George W. Bush years.

36 "Knights of Prosperity"

The series that was originally to be called "Let's Rob Mick Jagger" was indeed about a group of oddballs, led by Donal Logue's janitor, plotting to rob the superstar's swanky apartment. Why sitcoms like "According to Jim" stay on forever while smart and distinctive shows like this one get canceled after one season will always be a mystery.

35 "Flight of the Conchords"

The New Zealand duo's awesome lyrics ("you're so beautiful you could be a part-time model") are draw enough, but struggling musicians Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie's meetings with their clueless band manager Murray are the best reason to watch this HBO series. Kristen Schaal's awkward groupie is just icing on the cake.

34 "The Soup"

The Aughts were the decade of the reality show, my list is noticeably light on the genre. That's because my favorite way to enjoy the trashiest of the trashy was via Joel McHale's sarcastic commentary on E!

33 "Modern Family"

Perhaps this season's best new show should've been saved for next decade's list. But just 10 episodes in, this sitcom has breathed new life into a genre, the TGIF-style feel-good family show, that we thought was gone for good. Cameron and Mitchell are my favorite gay TV couple ever.

32 "The Osbournes"

We have the heavy-metal icon and his lovably wacky family to thank for the abundance of past-their-prime celebs with their own reality shows. And I, for one, can't imagine a world without "Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica" or "Scott Baio is 45 ... and Single."

31 "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"

This was the show that transformed Bravo from a TV wasteland into the home of some of the most enjoyable reality shows of the decade - think "Project Runway," "Top Chef" and "Real Housewives." Combining the always-popular makeover setup with a "Will & Grace"-influenced fixation on all things gay, the show actually offered good fashion tips for straight guys and food and decor ideas for the rest of us. Food Network mainstay (and Columbus-born) Ted Allen was the best of the bunch by far.